St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-03-05
ROMANCE OF A BROKER.

..you got some one for the telephone-did
you, Burns?"
YES, SIR the clerk replied. THE young
lady has been here since Tuesday,
r;"Young LADY," exclaimed Mr.. Wayne,
testify. why did You get a woman? A
brokers' Office is no place for woman"
WHY, you See SIR" said Burns, with
an obvious embarrassment and apprehen-
slye chances toward light oak partition,
behind which the new operator sat III con-
cealment, you didn't say anything about
that-only that Mr.. Richards had his hands
full with the wires, and that there'd have
10 be some one to take charge of the tele-
phone; so L"
That is Just like you, Burns" said Mr..
Wayne, stamping back into his private
office. ANY one else would have known
better"
why, you see. SIR" said Burns, defen-
sively. as he followed him back, Il didn't
think it would make much difference. The
young lady is very capable, and she seemed
to want the place so badly. She is very
poor, sir, and supports her mother. l know
something about her, you see."
''Oh! Some flame of yours, l suppose.
Burns? Very nice arrangement for you, no
doubt"
Il beg pardon, SIR" said Burns in an Of
Tended manner. II am a married man"
by Jove! so you are!' said Roland
Wayne. with a laugh. Il had forgotten
that Though" he added humorously,
that doesn't always make a difference.
Well, try her, anyhow. Where's the mail,
1lease?"
Il tell you what, Burns" one of the
other clerks observed. when that individual
finally emerged from Mr.. Wayne's office,
1.-THE boss is i'll fly humor, isn't he?"
He's all right" Burns answered.
warmly. He has given me ticket to At
lantic City, and two days off"
The clerk whistled.
''Why. thought he was going to take
your head off,"
You don't know him. am sure it is
no shame to man whose nerves are always
twinging with neuralgia if he loses his tenn
perm and then"
Roland. meanwhile, had taken up his pen
and was writing lengthy account of Bris
ket'S new deal in P. Y. Il NJ.
''1f the cat jumps this way" he said, in
conclusion, 1.-The bears have got him sure
Danbury is on our side. He has given
BrlSket the cold shoulder, and, if Pm not
mistaken, somebody will get woefully left.
| don't intend that it shall be |. If every
thing goes as l think it will, l shall pocket
5000 OO0 and then I'm going to get out of
the brokerage business. Itdoesn't suit me,
and my health is so poor that l must get
away somewhere orsI shall go to pieces"
Il beg pardon, sir" said soft. trenulous
voice at his elbow. Il am Miss Archer,
Mr.. Wayne
Roland dropped his pen. and rose po-
itely as he saw a slight, graceful figure in
black standing before him.
..Ra, SaataIa Mics Arohnr :, fo cold with
q smile which no man could have withheld
when he saw the fairness of her young face
and the shy, sweet flush on her cheeks.
'What can do for you?"
Il AIN the telephone OPERATOR" she began.
rapidly. and with nervousness she could
not conceal. II could not help hearing
what you said to MIR. Burns little while
ago, and-and l came to say that if You
are not satisfied. to have me stay in the
Office you need only say So"
mot satisfied" Roland echoed, in mani
fest confusion. "Well. really. you know I
nave not given you trial; and as to what
l said little while ago l am sorry. Miss
Archer. am afraid you will have to set
it down to neuralgia. l am quite willing
to have you stay, if you will"
You ere very kind" she said, lacing
and unlacing her fingers in some confusion.
important that should have this position.
or something else. But if what you say is
true-if brokers' Office Is no place for
woman-1-I think l would rather not
stay
How Roland Wayne abused himself
when he thought of his careless words and
then marked how her lips quivered, how
her eyelids dropped to keep back the I'M
shed tearsl
Il think 1 spoke too hastily, Miss
Archer" he said. "a lady's place is
where she makes it. We are not lot of
savages," he added, with warm smile
IF you remain here l think I can assure
you courteous and considerable treatment on
the part OF everyone in this office. If such
is not accorded you, you have only to in
form me, and I will know the reason
why"
You are very kind" said Miss Archer
with bright. tleeting smile. Il should
like to stay. really cannot afford to re-
sign my position"
Then stay, by all MEANS" said Roland.
And, to the edification of his clerks he
got up and opened the door for her when
she went out.
After that he often caught himself listen
ing to the soft yet distinct voice in another
room holding conN erSations over the phone
When he was at home with one of his at
tacks Of neuralgia and had to communicate
with the office by wire he often remarked
how we'll he could hear Miss Archers
voice, when all the Others ebbed away into
q Babel of sound.
Burns did q fine thing when he got that
girl in the Office" he unused one day. when
he was kept a prisoner very inopportunely.
Il don't know what we'd do without her
ialt - bod Il, - r
couldn't have had this attack at worse
time. But l guess everything is all right.
Danbury's good for any amount this side of
million. BY Jove, though. it would be
rough on me il anything went wrong now!
1t would clean me out completely"
He was walking up and down the room.
trying to repress the nervous agitation
which attacked him.
''Seven O'clock" he said glancing at the
time. 1.-The office is closed long ago. In
another hour Brisket will sign over those
bonds, and then--Hello! what's that?"
The shrili alarm of the telephone sum.
moned him. across the room.
There is no one in the Office, he thought
taking up the receiver. 1 wonder what's ur
now? Hello. Wayne! Who are you?"
ut is Helen Archer. Mr.. Wayne" said a
voice which he knew quite we'll
why what are you doing in the Office
at this time Of night!" he exclaimed invol
unfairly.
Il am not at the office-that is, not a
your office. am at the central station
Can you hear me?"
Yes"
81 have something important to tell you
Our wire got crossed with Mr.. Brsket's to.
day, and l could hear every word said oyel
it. l could not understand what they were
talking about, only MI Brisket was talkins